While Ralph assembled the engine, the machine work was entrusted to Ken's Automotive Machine in neighboring Ventura, California. With the engine sorted, the 4L60E transmission was beefed up with uprated clutches, bearings, valve bodies and pump. Ralph assembled the rear differential with a set of 3.42 slant cogs and genuine GM Performance limited slip goods. Connecting the LT1 and the stout differential is a stock driveline balanced for smooth operation at Silver State Classic speeds.
The one-inch front and two-inch rear suspension drop comes by way of a set of Suspension Techniques coils for just the right attitude and handling. The stock GM 16x8-inch wheels are shod with Z-rated 245/50 Sumitomo tires. Stock 11.5-inch brakes scrub off any built up velocity. New Vehicle Auto Restoration in Oxnard, California, bathed the Camaro in a PPG Medium Quartz Blue Metallic with the red fender hash marks - a nod to the stripes that signified numbers on the original '63 Corvette Grand Sports out on the track and the '96 GS Corvette. Tinted windows wrap up the appearance package.
Ralph says he occasionally toys with the Corvette crowd to show them what his Camaro can do, but after listening to the 12:1 compression engine, the local Z06 owners know it's best not to mess.
Even though the Grand Sport Camaro is one they never built, Ralph Sotello built this one. In fact, he plans on building a few dozen more just like it.